These compact, kid-approved picks make planes, cars, and cozy getaways a whole lot more fun!

Travel Buddy

Trunki Ride-On Kids Suitcase / Amazon

This Trunki ride-on suitcase is a travel lifesaver. It works as a carry-on, a ride-on, and even a tow-along — kids can sit and scoot, or happily walk it behind them like a little travel pet. It’s lightweight but surprisingly spacious, fits under the seat for takeoff and landing, and doubles as a footrest mid-flight. The carry strap makes it easy to grab when needed, and the built-in lock helps prevent curious kids from unpacking the contents across the terminal.

Mess-Free Magic  

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Deluxe Activity Pad / Amazon

This Water Wow! pad is a travel essential for airplanes, road trips, or even just relaxing downtime at your destination. Just fill the included brush with water and watch the reusable pages come to life when wet, and magically erase when dry — with no mess involved (or runaway crayons under airplane seats). This deluxe set includes a red lens to explore even more. Smaller and simpler Water Wow! pads are also available online.

Draw without a Trace

AYNAT FUN Large Magnetic Drawing Board / Amazon

This compact magnetic drawing board is an ideal companion for travel days and quiet moments away from home, offering unlimited creative play with zero mess. Using the magnetic stylus, kids can draw and experiment, then simply erase and start again — endlessly and satisfyingly.

Puzzles for Breakfast?

White Mountain 100-Piece Jigsaw Puzzle with six Different Puzzles / Amazon

These mini jigsaw puzzles may get mistaken for your vacation morning breakfast! Each of the six sets comes with 100 pieces in an adorable miniature cereal box with the image displayed on the outside. While the boxes are a bit small and flimsy for everyday home use, they’re perfect for a vacation home, Airbnb, or long Shabbos away — where you want toys you’ll be totally okay leaving behind and won’t have to worry about cleanup or long-term storage. You can easily order these ahead to your destination or pack them along.

Stick with It

Brain Games – Sticker by Letter / Amazon

One of the trickiest parts of in-flight entertainment is managing the coloring books, markers, and sticker sheets that inevitably get lost — or end up under the seats. The tray tables are simply not big enough to handle a spread-out coloring session. Brain Game’s Sticker By Letter books solve that problem beautifully: with a compact, spiral-bound book with included stickers doing the coloring! The series offers a range of skill levels for all ages online, with this particular book a favorite for my girls.

Touch and Go

LeapFrog LeapStart Learning Success Bundle / Amazon

The LeapStart Success Bundle is perfect for keeping kids entertained both at home and on the go. The interactive system combines games, reading, and problem-solving activities in a durable unit with an attached touch stylus. It comes with two starter books, and additional books are sold separately for all ages and levels, so kids can keep practicing skills as they grow their collection. While a bit bulky for airplane travel, it’s an ideal screen-free option for the car or home — plus it’s educational!

Wins from the Window

Regal Games Finger-Tip Shutter Bingo Cards / Amazon

This travel bingo is perfect for keeping kids occupied on long and short drives alike. Children can play on their own or team up with siblings to spot the sights, and race to see who completes their card first. The game is sold in a few different categories depending on your road-trip style. My favorite feature is obviously the sliding windows — no loose pieces!

Surround Sound

CozyPhones Over The Ear Headband Headphones / Amazon

CozyPhones are a lifesaver for travel, keeping little ears comfortable and sound safe. The thin speakers fit inside a soft, stretchy fleece headband, making them cozy enough to wear for long flights and car rides. Volume-limited to protect sensitive ears, these headphones are durable, lightweight, and easy to pack — plus, the playful designs make them a fun accessory kids actually want to wear. Perfect for music, audiobooks, or quiet screen time on the go.

Adeena Frommer, the Toy Maven, selects the best of each genre: researched, tested, and approved for the whole family.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 978)